Rams WR Mumpfield may be primary backup out wide?

Mumpfield managed just one grab before erupting for 78 yards and a touchdown on a single drive in the fourth quarter with the Rams trailing for the first time in the game. His touchdown came on a double move against Riley Moss down the sideline for a walk-in score from 48 yards out. Mumpfield stepped into a growing role the previous two weeks in the absence of Puka Nacua and could remain a starter at wide receiver should Nacua miss additional time.

Nacua was added to the injury report on Friday as a DNP. He failed to get in any reps on Saturday but still received the questionable designation. Given that the game is on Monday, fantasy managers won’t have many contingency options left. With Jordan Whittington also expected to miss Week 2, the Rams’ No. 2 receiver will be either Konata Mumpfield or Xavier Smith if Nacua doesn’t suit up. Both players would be WR5/6 options in the event of a Nacua absence.

Rodrigue listed WR Konata Mumpfield and WR Jordan Whittington as candidates for the gig, notably excluding rookie WR CJ Daniels. Daniels was viewed as the potential WR3 due to his blocking ability earlier this year. Rodrigue says it is instead Whittington who could serve as the “3B” blocker. Mumpfield reportedly “looks the part” as the “3A” receiving component. Will he return fantasy value reliably? Probably not. Earlier this month, Rodrigue’s colleague, Nate Atkins, said Mumpfield could be the next man up on the perimeter if WRs Puka Nacua or Davante Adams miss time. Rodrigue’s comments seemingly confirm this.

The statement comes with positives and negatives. On the one hand, Atkins believes the sixth-round rookie is the favorite to start in three-wide receiver sets. On the other hand, Daniels’ fit is due partially to his blocking ability. Getting on the field is the first step toward fantasy-relevance, though. Daniels is a player to watch closely in the coming months.

Daniels (6’2”/202) is a sixth-year prospect who made stops at Liberty (2020-2023) and LSU (2024) before finishing his career at Miami in 2025. What Daniels lacks in speed (4.58 40-yard dash), he makes up for with creative route running and an impressive ability to pull off contested catches (62.3 percent contested catch rate, per PFF). He’s a good downfield threat and broke out for 55/1,067/10 in 2023 at Liberty, but Daniels’ production fell off in his final two seasons when the level of competition was ramped up while playing for LSU and Miami. Given what we saw from Daniels in his post-Liberty career, it seems unlikely he will look like the player we saw in his breakout season when he’s facing NFL-caliber talent on every snap. He has very limited experience on special teams, returning just three punts in his career and never logging a single snap on the kick/punt coverage units. Despite his sixth-round pedigree, he’ll face an uphill battle to make a 53-man roster in his rookie season.

The Jaguars do not use top-30 visits. They prefer to keep their pre-draft information gathering under wraps. Jaguars general manager James Gladstone during his nine-year run with the Rams. Daniels revealed his meeting with the team in a recent interview. He has also met with the Titans, Broncos and Panthers. Daniels posted a 50/557/7 receiving line in his fifth and final college season. Shipley believes Daniels (6'2/202) could provide a big-bodied, physical element that is currently missing in the Jaguars’ wide receiver room. The Jaguars notably tried to sign Seahawks WR Jake Bobo (6'4/207) earlier this offseason.

He also adds that a Day 2 selection is in play. Neither Davante Adams nor Puka Nacua are likely going to see their 2026 production threatened by a rookie wideout, but Adams is in the final year of his contract and the depth at the position hasn’t shown much for the Rams. Konata Mumpfield, who played outside while Adams was dealing with a hamstring injury late in the season, would figure to lose major dynasty stock if the Rams spent an early pick on a wideout.

Mumpfield had an eight-target game in Davante Adams’ hamstring-related absence and certainly appears to be the main backup wideout on the outside after the Rams picked him in the seventh round of last year’s draft. He finished the year with a 10/92/1 line. There’s not an obvious fantasy vacuum for him to step into even if he managed to be the main third receiver in 2026 — especially given how successful three tight-end looks were for the Rams this year. Still, he’s an interesting dynasty bench stash after making good progress in his rookie year.

With Davante Adams out due to a hamstring injury, Mumpfield was given a chance to make some plays. He didn’t make enough of them, as Matthew Stafford just missed on a few connections with the seventh-round pick of this year’s draft. If Adams can’t go in Week 17 against the Falcons, Mumpfield will be in the conversation for fantasy relevance in that contest. If Adams can go, there’s not enough upside for consideration in redraft formats.

Adams has been rehabbing this hamstring injury for weeks. He played through it without issue in Week 14 but suffered a re-injury in Week 15. Tonight’s absence was expected. It gives rookie WR Konata Mumpfield a chance to establish himself as a contributor, though expectations must be held in check. He should not be started in re-draft formats. The Rams also declared CB Ahkello Witherspoon, QB Stetson Bennett IV, RB Jarquez Hunter, OL Beaux Limmer and OLB Nick Hampton inactive in Week 16 against the Seahawks.